How to Choose the best self cleaning robot vacuum robot vacuum cleaner best Vacuum Cleaner

budget robot vacuum vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and light debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Find models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots that we tested are efficient and easy to use and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you want a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger areas. This model is a great choice for pet owners because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any point, so that you can continue with your chores while it does. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, however it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models do a good job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and some do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can exchange the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to tidy your home while you are away. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.

If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be empty and boasts impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models, but it still manages to pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the best price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of picking up crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one move. If you have floors that are mixed choose one with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robotic hoovers mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. They can also be dried, washed and used again.

The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. These advances reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems with these devices however. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and require a certain level of light in order to see where they are moving. You should consider a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our top overall model and the runners-up use this. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

They can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot vacuum ebay think it's in a different space.

Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you don't want the robot to go, which can be beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.